OPINION The time has come for which we have all been eagerly waiting for, the 2104 general elections. Although there is excitement and celebration that Fiji will within few days return to democracy, the sadness is however high on the level of political lies, debates and name calling that has happened in the last few weeks during intense and heated campaigns, particularly between SODELPA, Fijifirst and NFP. I have taken time to hear political speeches, debates, and question and answer sessions and even took time to read manifestos of most parties. I maintained neutrality throughout my endeavor to find the most suitable candidates to whom I shall give my valuable vote. This election is very different from many other elections that Fiji has seen before. Today we are having a new constitution, a government going into elections boasting popular support from major ethnic communities and having focused hard on agenda of development. The social media has played a very important role in 2014 general election although some hard liners from political parties have abused and made racial remarks hiding behind fake profiles. We have heard and read abuses to many people specially those who support the current regime; there has been widespread discussion on racial politics and beyond that on religion. There have been death threats being put to prominent journalists for having expressed pro government opinions and politics of fear and deliberate misinformation to many communities at large form many political parties. It was widely debated on social media that the current regime is trying to make Fiji a Muslim state, that Fiji may be sold to China, that the landowners no longer have their land safe and it may be taken from them, that Fiji is under huge debt that will never be paid and consequently be taken over by donor countries and so. The rumors got worse when the renovated clocks at the government house which had structurally remained same from before and post its renovation to be resembling like a mosque. This went a little too much since the Fiji Sun on 14th Sep showed evidence that there was no structural change in the look of the clock at government building. Even the Prime Minister himself clarified everywhere he went that the rumors that if his government vote into power will not let anyone to Pray to Jesus. This was a clearly a lie since I have never been able to find any texts in the constitution or whatsoever where freedom to practice religion has been a restrained to anyone. The equal citizenry, common name, secular state was the hottest debate although it was also the most sensitive one to discuss. While SODELPA have smartly championed indigenous rights, issues and concerns, Fijifirst on the other hand carried on with a legacy of a constitution that removes racial discrimination, ensures equal opportunities to any Fijian (common name), good economic growth, many of their existing program such as free education etc. There are a few facts that have been distorted by many a) Fiji being a secular state means that religion and state are two different things, that no particular religion will be endorsed by the State and that people have their individual choice to practice there own religious belief. b) Common name, Fijian, is referred to anyone who is a citizen of Fiji regardless of their ethnicity while the traditional owners of land are revered to as the i-taukei. c) Fijian land is well protected under the constitution. Having looked at all this I believe that the election results may be as follows: Fijifirst – 30 seats SODELPA – 17 NFP – 2 FLP / ONE FIJI – 1 INDP – 0
Posted on: Sun, 14 Sep 2014 12:24:30 +0000
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